A 15-year-old boy, only identified as Lolawo, is hospitalised at Kotido General Hospital after sustaining severe injuries from electrocution while attempting to vandalize a high-voltage electric line in Linyanga village, Maaru Sub County. The incident occurred on Thursday evening when residents discovered the unconscious boy dangling atop an electric power line in the Maru Hills area.
It is believed that Lolawo climbed the pole with the intention of stealing wires and metals for scrap, resulting in the electrocution. Eyewitness Egidio Ocan recounted finding the victim dangling on the pole around 4:00 PM and promptly alerting the police, who rescued the boy. Michael Longole, the Mt Moroto regional police spokesperson, acknowledged the ongoing battle against vandalism across Karamoja, despite not receiving immediate details about this specific incident.
He highlighted the region’s struggle with vandalism, particularly in government institutions and projects involving development partners. “We have talked to those people but they don’t want to listen, our forces are on the ground and whoever is arrested has to face the law” Longole warned. Robert Sagal, a resident of Panyangara trading center, attributed the surge in vandalism to poverty, driving idle youth to seek materials for survival.
He noted the impact on government institutions and private properties, urging authorities to sensitize communities about the dangers associated with tampering with electric lines. “These are warriors who don’t understand how electricity is generated, so we need to create awareness so we can save them otherwise, expect more of such incidences because vandalism is not about to stop due to biting hunger in the families,” Sagal explained.
This incident echoes previous vandalism incidents, such as the suspected warriors’ attack on a transformer in May 2023, resulting in power outages lasting two weeks in the Kaabong and Kotido districts. The authorities stress the importance of enforcing the law and educating the community to curb vandalism, emphasizing the inherent risks associated with tampering with electric infrastructure.
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